Tech Week: U.S. Spying, Health Site Blame Game And New iPads

An attendee looks at the new Mac Pro during an Apple announcement event in San Francisco.

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Originally published on October 25, 2013 1:02 pm

"Too big to succeed."

That's how one of my sources described the complex, complicated HealthCare.gov tech system that was built with 55 contractors in several discrete parts, all without a clear system integrator. The issues and recrimination in Congress over the rollout dominated our week, on air and online. On Monday the administration announced a "tech surge" to fix the system, but would adding more manpower help or hurt? By week's end, a congressional panel called four of the system's major contractors in to testify, where they blamed the federal government for not better "quarterbacking" the project.

The problems of HealthCare.gov present an opportunity, says the U.K. Executive Director of Digital Mike Bracken. He says it's about time for the U.S. to address the systemic forces that led to this mess — American leaders who think of tech projects as "bridges to be bought" rather than services, and a burdensome procurement process that feeds into that thinking. Read his full Q&A for more.

Also, you probably heard that Apple released its new line of iPads, in which, as The New Yorker describes, Apple made more progress in its war on the pixel. We didn't cover it, because we are resisting putting time and resources into product announcements that the tech trade press covers so thoroughly. In fact, Dave Winer chastised the tech press for the way it covers Apple, writing, "At some point everyone is going to realize this. They're going to look down at next year's iPad or iPhone or whatever, and realize that it's just a small improvement over last year's."